Chapter 19

When she woke up in the morning, the spot beside her was empty. Lying in her usual position with the blanket still covering her, Song Wei felt clear-headed—it seemed she had slept well.

Last night, she’d been a bit anxious, but after his shower, he went off to work late into the night. The mental preparation she’d done turned out to be unnecessary. She couldn’t recall what time he returned, but their first night together had passed peacefully.

She glanced at the empty pillow beside her, its color matching the bedsheet.

He hadn’t brought his own bedding, so this pillow—typically her backrest—was now his.

A married coworker had once complained to her that men’s pillows needed to be changed every three to four days; otherwise, they’d turn yellow and stink.

Out of sheer curiosity, Song Wei leaned in to sniff. Thankfully, there was no smell.

Still, she’d have to establish a rule: change it every four days, a week at most. If he didn’t comply, she’d kick him out—poor sleep hygiene wasn’t an option.

After lounging in bed for ten more minutes, Song Wei finally got up to wash.

On the bathroom counter, two new items had appeared: a toothbrush in a disposable cup.

She chuckled at the sight. Bringing only a toothbrush? The disposable cup made it look so pitiful.

There was also an electric shaver on the storage shelf—a rare masculine presence in the room. Song Wei picked it up and inspected it. It had three rotating heads, different from the one her dad used. Odd but intriguing.

After brushing her teeth, she opened the curtains, enjoying the morning view while still holding her toothbrush.

Then, she noticed something unusual—the laundry basket was empty.

Song Wei froze for a moment.

Usually, she’d hand-wash her undergarments and set them out to dry after her shower. The rest of her clothes went into the washing machine the next day. But now, her clothes were gone.

Finishing up, she walked out and headed straight for the balcony in the living room.

Sure enough, her dress from last night was hanging there, alongside his shirt and slacks.

Feeling a little awkward, she asked Yang Yingqiu, who was eating breakfast, “Mom, did you wash my clothes?”

“Who has the time to do that for you?”

“…Oh.” Then it could only be him.

Sitting down, Song Wei grabbed a steamed bun and popped it into her mouth, her voice muffled as she asked, “Where’s Dad?”

“Eat first, then talk.”

After swallowing, she asked again, “Where’s Dad?”

“He went out with Xiao Chen to buy something. Freshen up—we’re going to meet Xiao Chen’s family this afternoon.”

“When was this decided?”

“When you were sleeping like a log.”

“…Fine.”

As she ate breakfast, her phone buzzed with a flood of messages from Jiang Xiaoyu:
[Sis, Mom says you’re coming to our house this afternoon? What’s going on?]
[Are you really married to my brother?]
[Mom’s joking, right?]
[Say something, Sis!]
[Ahhhhhh!]

Song Wei replied: [Your mom’s not joking.]

[Ahhhhhh!]
[Ahhhhhh!]

What kind of reaction was that? Was she upset?

A moment later:
[My brother’s amazing!]
[He knows when to make his move!]
[Hehe, Sis-in-law.]
[Happy twirls.gif]

Song Wei couldn’t help but laugh. After a moment, she asked:
[Will your uncle be there?]

Jiang Xiaoyu replied: [Yes, I just overheard Mom calling him.]

Song Wei told Yang Yingqiu, “Mom, Chen Jubai’s dad will be there too.”

“I know—I asked him to come.”

Alright, no need to ask further.

At around ten, Song Gao Yi and Chen Jubai returned, carrying multiple bags.

Song Wei, who was working on her laptop in the living room, turned to see them hauling their load.

Chen Jubai glanced her way briefly, his expression unreadable. Was it even a little sulky? His dark circles suggested he hadn’t slept well.

Song Wei was baffled.

What did she do now?

This man was so hard to figure out.

After a quick lunch, the family set off for Wutong Garden.

Initially, they’d planned to meet at a restaurant, but Yang Yingqiu suggested visiting his aunt’s place instead. It would be less formal and a chance to check out the neighborhood.

Waiting downstairs were Aunt Chen Yun and Jiang Xiaoyu.

As soon as they got out of the car, Jiang Xiaoyu ran over and sweetly called out, “Sis-in-law!”

Chen Yun, who had never met Song Wei before, was momentarily awestruck. Stealing a glance at her tall, handsome nephew, she couldn’t help but think, No wonder he rushed to get married. The girl’s stunning—he must’ve been afraid she’d slip away.

Putting on a warm smile, she greeted Yang Yingqiu and Song Gao Yi. “Welcome, in-laws. Come on up! Don’t worry about Xiao Chen—our family will give Weiwei everything she deserves.”

After exchanging pleasantries, they all went upstairs.

Inside, Chen Yun’s husband and Chen Jubai’s father, Chen Ming, stood up to greet them.

Song Wei immediately recognized which one was his father.

The father and son shared a striking resemblance—especially their almond-shaped eyes. Their height and build were also nearly identical.

What stood out most was Chen Ming’s slightly uneasy demeanor, mirroring how his son had behaved the first time he visited her home.

Recalling what Chen Jubai had told her about his family, Song Wei felt a mix of emotions. She wasn’t sure how to approach him.

Chen Yun facilitated introductions, and Song Wei respectfully addressed them: “Dad, Uncle.”

Chen Ming froze, visibly taken aback.

Chen Yun nudged him. “What’s wrong with you?”

Finally snapping out of it, Chen Ming responded stiffly, “Ah, yes, yes—have a seat.”

The two families began chatting. Despite the initial awkwardness, the conversation gradually flowed, touching on topics like their meeting and the upcoming wedding arrangements.

Although much of this had been discussed before, Chen Yun and her husband were surprised when the bride price was revealed to include a house. Chen Ming, however, simply kept saying, “Good, good.”

While the adults chatted, Jiang Xiaoyu leaned over to Song Wei, whispering, “Sis—oops, I mean Sis-in-law—why did you decide to marry my brother? Tell me!”

Sitting next to them, Chen Jubai glanced over, as if curious about the answer too.

Song Wei hesitated before vaguely replying, “Well… he’s a good person.”

Jiang Xiaoyu pressed, “What’s good about him?”

“…His personality.”

“Not his looks or figure?”

“…Those too.”

“Not because of his job? My brother makes good money.”

“…That as well.” Song Wei’s responses became increasingly mechanical.

Seeing her struggle, Chen Jubai cut in, “Don’t be nosy, kid.”

Jiang Xiaoyu stuck out her tongue playfully. “Hehe.”

Hearing the lively commotion in the living room, Big Fat and Little Fat lazily strutted out from the bedroom, their tails swaying rhythmically.

Song Wei had seen photos of Xiaopang and Dapang from Jiang Xiaoyu before and knew they were chubby, but seeing them in person was still a shock. Even the smaller one was as large as four Snowflake.

The two fat cats ignored Chen Jubai, who was sitting on the edge of the couch, and went straight to Jiang Xiaoyu. “Sister-in-law, do you want to hold one?” Jiang Xiaoyu asked.

Song Wei picked up one cat, and her hands immediately felt the weight.

Jiang Xiaoyu asked, “Does Snowflake eat a lot these days?”

“Not really. Just one meal a day.”

“I’m so envious. Our two eat through hundreds of yuan worth of cat food every month. I’ve tried cutting back, but they look so pitiful when they meow for more that I can’t resist.” Jiang Xiaoyu stroked the fur on Xiaopang’s head, then reminded, “Sister-in-law, when you have time, you should take Snowflake to the vet for a check-up. Not eating much isn’t good either.”

“Got it.”

Jiang Xiaoyu was chatty when it came to cats. Song Wei, tired from holding the hefty cat, handed it over to the person beside her. “You hold it for a bit.”

Unexpectedly, as soon as Dapang landed in Chen Jubai’s arms, it jumped down without hesitation, showing no interest in him.

Jiang Xiaoyu giggled at Song Wei’s surprise. “Dapang and Xiaopang don’t like my brother.”

“Why?” Song Wei was even more puzzled. Snowflake clearly adored him, always curling up by his feet whenever he visited.

“No idea. Maybe it’s because like repels like? Cats are cold-blooded creatures, and so is my brother.”

Chen Jubai glanced at her, both amused and exasperated. “What nonsense are you spouting now?”

“I’m not spouting nonsense,” Jiang Xiaoyu said with a grin. She switched to a serious tone. “Dapang and Xiaopang don’t know my brother well. He’s never even held them before. Why would they warm up to him? Oh, right, sorry, sister-in-law, I lied to you earlier.”

Before Song Wei could respond, Jiang Xiaoyu turned mischievous. “But after you adopted Snowflake, my brother would always feed the cat whenever he came over. That’s why Snowflake gained two kilos. He’s the culprit.”

She added, “And you know all those toys Dapang and Xiaopang used to have? My brother took them all and gave them to Snowflake. Some were brand-new! Do you think the cats would like him?”

“Weren’t they unused?” Song Wei turned to him. Chen Jubai seemed uncomfortable and stood up. “I’ll go see what’s for dinner.”

As he walked off, Jiang Xiaoyu laughed even harder. “Unused? He spent a fortune buying those toys from me, all just to please Snowflake. He crammed cat knowledge like it was an exam.”

The young woman clicked her tongue in mock admiration. “My brother really went all out. He must’ve been desperate.”

Song Wei recalled their conversations before the New Year. Nearly every topic revolved around Snowflake—cat food, supplies, deworming, vaccines. It was like he’d turned into a walking encyclopedia.

Looking at the tall figure in the kitchen, she felt a strange mix of emotions. Even though she had already suspected it, hearing it confirmed stirred something indescribable inside.

….

After dinner, Chen Jubai didn’t go back with them. Chen Ming also stayed behind, and father and son went out to the balcony to talk.

Chen Ming had mixed feelings about his son. Chen Jubai had always been intelligent and obedient. Even when his mother fell ill, he rarely caused trouble. He’d taken care of himself when Chen Ming was on the wrong path, excelling in school without needing anyone’s help.

Chen Ming knew he hadn’t been a good father and felt deeply guilty. Over the years, their relationship had grown distant, held together only by blood ties.

Marriage was a good thing, Chen Ming thought. His son had his own family now, and his career was thriving. It was a relief that his bad influence hadn’t rubbed off.

Chen Ming pulled a cigarette from his pocket and offered one to his son. Chen Jubai glanced at it indifferently. “I don’t smoke.”

Chen Ming lit his own, taking a slow drag as the smoke curled upward. He spoke just as slowly. “That girl seems like a good person. Treat her well.”

Chen Jubai didn’t respond.

“I don’t have much advice to give. I’ll try not to be a burden. If you ever need help, just ask.”

From the 20th floor, the night view of Nan’an stretched endlessly. The city lights reflected in Chen Jubai’s cold, dark eyes. His voice was as distant as the night. “I don’t need anything from you.”

Chen Ming looked at his son’s stubborn face, unwilling even to meet his gaze. He sighed internally and finally said, “I’ll head back. Take care of yourself.”

His footsteps were heavy as he left.

Chen Jubai turned to watch him go, his expression calm.

In the living room, Chen Yun approached, her face anxious. “You didn’t argue, did you?”

The man smiled faintly. “Argue? What is there to argue about?”

They met only twice a year for meals lasting an hour or two. What was there to fight over?

“Your dad’s been doing well lately. I heard he has a girlfriend now. He’s not young anymore, and your mom’s been gone for years. It’s good for him to have someone by his side. I told him to bring her over sometime, but he refused.”

Chen Yun added, “You two should stay in touch more. You’re married now, and there’s no need to hold onto old grudges. Your dad’s living an honest life these days. Your in-laws specifically asked him to come today, which shows they value this marriage. They don’t know about his past, do they?”

“They do. I told them.”

Chen Yun froze, then snapped, “Why would you tell them that?”

Chen Jubai remained silent.

After a pause, Chen Yun changed the subject. “Are you really giving a house as the betrothal gift?”

“Yes.”

“The one near your office?”

“Probably.”

Chen Yun didn’t know what to say. Property prices in that area were sky-high. A 150-square-meter apartment would cost four or five million yuan. Who gives such an extravagant betrothal gift?

She had thought it over with Xiaoyu’s father earlier and couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

“There’s a difference between our families,” she said. “Why were they so quick to agree to the marriage? Could they be after the house?”

“No, I offered it,” Chen Jubai replied.

Chen Yun was exasperated. “Are you stupid? Do you know how hard it is to earn that money?”

Chen Jubai’s expression turned serious. “Aunt, she’s not after my money. You don’t need to worry.”

“How do you know she’s not? What about her parents? Do they want anything?”

“I don’t have much besides money. If a house can give her parents peace of mind, I think it’s worth it.”

“How long have you known each other since meeting through the matchmaking? You like her this much already? Did she marry a matchmaking partner out of love? Besides, who can say what will happen in the future? Jubai…”

Chen Jubai interrupted her. “Aunt, I have no plans to divorce her.”

Chen Yun felt a pang in her chest and scolded him, exasperated, “For such major decisions in the future, discuss them with the family first. Don’t just act impulsively.”

“Alright.”

At around seven, Chen Jubai returned to his room. After some thought, he decided to call her.

“Are you home?”

“Yes.” On the other end, her breath was uneven. “I just went for a walk with my dad around the neighborhood. A little dog wouldn’t stop chasing me—it wore me out.”

Hearing the cheerful tone in her voice, a smile naturally appeared on his face. “It didn’t bite you, did it?”

“No, but it was so fierce, barking nonstop. Snowflake is much better—just a gentle, soft, and adorable kitten.”

The mention of the cat brought a pause between them.

Song Wei had a lot of questions on her mind since the afternoon, but she didn’t feel the need to ask. The situation was already obvious—wasn’t it redundant to seek clarification?

Matchmaking is about efficiency, and he was exceptionally efficient.

She wasn’t clueless. From the matchmaking to the wedding, she could sense his fondness and affection—hurried, clumsy, yet unmistakable. However, the time had been too brief for the feelings to develop fully or deeply enough to withstand scrutiny.

But that was fine; she needed time, too.

Entering her room and closing the door, Song Wei softly asked him, “What are you doing?”

“Not much. About to shower, then finish some work.”

“Oh.” Song Wei wanted to bring up his father but didn’t know how to start. After hesitating, she said, “Your dad gave me a red envelope today.”

He hummed in acknowledgment. Song Wei walked to her desk, took out the red envelope from her bag, and opened it, exclaiming in surprise, “It’s a thousand yuan!”

“Keep it.”

“You and your dad are so alike—tall, and even your eyes are similar.”

“Mm.”

Sensing his low energy, Song Wei quickly changed the subject. “Do you have any other kids in your family?”

“On my dad’s side, just Jiang Xiaoyu. On my grandma’s side, two cousins. Why?”

“Not too many. We won’t have to give out too many red envelopes in the future.” She chuckled softly, her laughter light and cheerful.

Hearing her laugh, the corners of Chen Jubai’s mouth lifted slightly. He walked to the window, where the moon hung high, and the stars twinkled faintly. The weather was pleasant. Suddenly, he said, “The clothes on the balcony should be dry. If my parents haven’t taken them in, please remember to do it.”

“Got it.”

“My laptop is still in the study. If they use the room, could you put it away for me?”

“It’s fine; the study is spacious enough. It won’t get in the way.”

“Alright.”

Silence fell between them. Whether it was awkwardness or something else, their steady breathing was the only sound.

Half a minute passed. A full minute. Song Wei broke the quiet. “That’s all for now. I’m hanging up.”

Chen Jubai said, “I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“Mm, bye.”

Chen Jubai put down his phone and returned to his bed.

His aunt usually kept his room tidy, changing the sheets regularly. Today’s sheets were gray, plain and without patterns. There was only one pillow, and the air carried a faint scent of laundry detergent.

He looked around the room, feeling like something was missing.

After a while, he remembered—her scarf was at his place near the office, not here.

Ten minutes later, he glanced at his phone. The time read 7:35 PM.

It would take 20 minutes to get to her place. He’d be back before 8.

Chen Jubai got up and headed out.

In the dining room, Jiang Xiaoyu was rummaging for something to eat. Seeing him walking briskly, she called out, “Brother, where are you going?”

“There’s some work left. My laptop’s over there. I need to get it.”